EvidenceBased Practice Linda C Halgunseth Ph D Office

Evidence-Based Practice Linda C. Halgunseth, Ph. D Office of Applied Research www. naeyc. org

Definition of Evidence-Based Practice = a decision-making process that integrates the best available research evidence with family and professional wisdom and values (Buysee & Wesley, 2006)

Evidence-Based Four General Areas • Position Statements/Standards • Public Policy/QRIS Initiatives • Publications/Conferences • Office of Applied Research

#1. POSITION STATEMENTS • Over 20 position statements • Purpose • Process

Two Examples • DEC/NAEYC Joint Statement on Inclusion • DAP Distance Learning

STANDARDS Accreditation I. Academy 10 Standards (Relationships, Curriculum, Teaching, Assessment of Child Progress, Health, Teachers, Families, Community Relationships, Physical Environment, Leadership and Management) II. Teacher Preparation 5* Standards (Promote Child Development & Learning, Building Family and Community Relationships, Observing, Documenting and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families, Teaching and Learning, Becoming a Professional)

Process for Standards • • Similar to Position Statements Work Group of Experts References Linked to Each Standard Draft Presented to and Feedback Elicited From Practitioner Field » Online » Conference Session » Invitation • Regular Reviews/Revisions

#2. PUBLICATIONS/ CONFERENCES Questions: To Researchers = “What would this look like in the classroom? ” To Practitioners = “Is information grounded in developmental theory and research? ” • Journals » ECRQ, Young Children, Teaching Young Children • Books

Wisdom of Field * Voices of Practitioners * NAEYC Annual Conference and Professional Development Institute

#3. PUBLIC POLICY • QRIS Initiatives and Support – Support State Decision-makers and Policy makers Understanding and Implementation of QRIS

#4. OFFICE OF APPLIED RESEARCH • Wingspread Conference – 25 Recommendations • Office of Applied Research – Presentations Demonstrate Links Between Research, Policy, and Practice – Research-to-Practice Briefs

Conclusion • History of Integrating Empirical Research and Wisdom/Knowledge of Field » Position Statements, Standards, Conferences, Public Policy, and Publications • Renewed Commitment to strengthen NAEYC’s dissemination efforts of evidence-based practices » Office of Applied Research, Wingspread

Reference Buysse, V. & Wesley, P. W. (2006). Evidence -based practice in the early childhood field. Washington, DC: ZERO TO THREE Press.

THANK YOU! Linda C. Halgunseth, Ph. D Coordinator, Office of Applied Research National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20005 LHalgunseth@naeyc. org www. naeyc. org